Rattling, Shift Knob Issue
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Santa Clarita, CA
1987 E300 TD
Rattling, Shift Knob Issue
So I'm going over this hill at about 40-45 mph, around 2,500 RPM's and I hear a rattling noise where my gear shifter is located. I hold the shift *** and wiggle it a little, then it stops! I've taken off the plate and looked but nothing seems to catch my eye. Does anyone else have this problem...or does anyone have any ideas what I should do to prevent it from making this rattling noise? Last Q, how does the shifter knob come off on a 1999 E300 TD? (Some POS transmission shop twisted it and jacked it up....I'm having them pay for the knob, but I want to install it)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,942
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From: Seattle WA
99 E320
try this....
- place palm directly over knob.
- with thumb and index finger extended downwards, grab the circular collar
directly beneath the knob and twist clockwise. click. pull knob off
- place palm directly over knob.
- with thumb and index finger extended downwards, grab the circular collar
directly beneath the knob and twist clockwise. click. pull knob off
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,493
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From: Santa Clarita, CA
1987 E300 TD
I've taken off the cover to the center consol, and the cover over the gear shifter......and I look but nothing looks loose or out of place. Now the rattling is getting worse and makes a rubbing noise around 2,000 RPM 
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,493
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From: Santa Clarita, CA
1987 E300 TD
Hum....it would be nice if I could find the broken o-ring because I don't want to spend $500 to have it done haha. Yeah like I said earlier someone messed up the shift knob so it wiggles easily and it won't click. I'll see what I can do thanks for the help!
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,861
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Its The Shift Rod Bushings there are two...... one at each end of the shift rod that goes between the transmission and the shifter...The Bushings wear out and will cause the problem....I have done LOTS of them....
The Bushings are a couple bucks each and the labor is 15/20 min....(IF) its on a hoist
The Bushings are a couple bucks each and the labor is 15/20 min....(IF) its on a hoist
